The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Kevin A. Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Electronics Warfare Officer near Kep Airfield, North Vietnam on 5 August 1966. On that date, Captain Gilroy was on a mission to suppress or destroy hostile surface-to-air missile installations. The mission was in support of several strikes against important targets in the area near Kep Airfield. Despite the highly vulnerable nature of this mission and the savage defensive fire encountered, Captain Gilroy vectored the flight into positions that resulted in the destruction of two surface-to-air missile sites. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Gilroy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 1, 1980 – July 29, 1983
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Kevin A. Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Air Force Electronic Warfare Center, San Antonio, Texas, from 1 July 1980 to 29 July 1983. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts demonstrated by Colonel Gilroy successfully implemented several of his new ideas and initiatives involving electronic combat into ongoing programs that will have a favorable impact for years to come. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Gilroy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air BaseAction Date:
November 7, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Kevin A. Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105F Thunderchief in Southeast Asia on 7 November 1966. On that date, Captain Gilroy was a member of an “Iron Hand” surface-to-air missile suppression flight supporting a strike against a vital rail complex. Despite savage anti-aircraft artillery and automatic weapons fire, several surface-to-air missile launches and constant harassment by numerous surface-to-air missile sites in the area, the flight successfully disabled one surface-to-air missile site and by their aggressiveness concentrated the area defenses upon themselves enabling the strike flights to attack their primary target and egress safely. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Gilroy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air BaseAction Date:
August 7, 1966
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-793 (1966)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Kevin A. Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 aircraft of the with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, in action near Haiphong, North Vietnam, on 7 August 1966. On that date, Captain Gilroy was the Electronic Warfare Officer in a F-105F on a mission to suppress or destroy surface-to-air missile installations. The mission was in support of strikes against important targets near Hanoi. Despite extremely hazardous conditions, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Gilroy directed the aircraft in the attack of surface-to-air missile installations. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Gilroy has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air BaseAction Date:
December 3, 1966
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Kevin A. Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Electronic Warfare Officer near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 3 December 1966. On that date, Captain Gilroy was a member of a flight of F-105s assigned to suppress or destroy hostile surface-to-air missile installations in support of a strike against important petroleum facilities in the Phuc Yen area. Despite the intense anti-aircraft firing and imminent missile threats, Captain Gilroy continued to give warnings while destroying two active surface-to-air missile installations. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Gilroy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air BaseAction Date:
March 10, 1967
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-297 (August 15, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Kevin Alfred Gilroy (AFSN: 0-3109656), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 aircraft of the with the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, engaged in a pre-strike, missile suppression mission against the Thai Nguyen Steel Works in North Vietnam on 10 March 1967. On that date, Captain Gilroy guided his pilot in attacking and destroying a surface-to-air missile installation protecting one of the most important industrial complexes in North Vietnam. He accomplished this feat even after formidable hostile defenses had destroyed the lead aircraft and had crippled a second. Though his own aircraft suffered extensive battle damage and was under constant attack by MiG interceptors, anti-aircraft artillery, automatic weapons, and small arms fire, Captain Gilroy aligned several ingenious close range attacks on the hostile defenses at great risk to his own life. Due to his technical skill, the attacks were successful and the strike force was able to bomb the target without loss. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship and aggressiveness, Captain Gilroy has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.